Jim Ross to call New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV

If you are a fan of professional wrestling or were during it’s heyday in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, you know who “Good Ol’ JR” Jim Ross is. The legendary play-by-play commentator hasn’t worked as an on-screen regular with WWE since 2009, but fans will have the opportunity to hear him once again very soon.

Ross announced on his blog at jrsbarbq.com that he would be taking over the play-by-play duties for New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV alongside former NJPW veteran and UFC star Josh Barnett on March 9. He will replace Mauro Ranallo, who took over the same duties on WWE Smackdown at the beginning of 2016.

“This opportunity to work with AXS TV is attractive on many fronts,” Ross said. “The travel won’t be weekly but approximately 8-10 trips to Los Angeles in a year’s time. While there, in a two-day, voice-over session, we will hammer out up to six shows. I’m happy OKC now has non-stop flights to LAX.”

The show will feature matches from NJPW’s Wrestling Dontaku in 2015. Ross has called NJPW matches in the past as he worked alongside former WWE superstar and commentator Matt Striker for the company’s first-ever English broadcast of Wrestle Kingdom 9 last January.

I don’t know about most of you, but I know I will be tuning into AXSTV in just a few months to hear JR say “Good God almighty! Good God almighty! He killed him!” one more time.